[Jordan210]

I was involved in a small bump a few weeks ago meaning i had to get a new bumper and part of the engine bay fitted by my dealership as the fiber glass had got a small crack in it,

As the radiator had to come out for the engine bay work to be carried out this is where the problems have started.

First off when i got the car back from dealers after getting it home i found the coolant was just above a min level. Went straight back to the dealers and they said it might just be the radiator needing bleeding as there might be an airlock. So the bleed 2 of the valves that they could get too and told me the engine was too hot for one of the other valves, I was told the problem should be sorted.

After getting the car home again and cheeking the coolant was still quite low, I went back to the dealership again today as when i checked in the morning the coolant was well below the min level. The dealers let the engine cool down and bleed the valves again and also did the one they did no the other day. They also toped up the coolant and checked for leaks what they found none.

As i had to go shopping and get some new head light bulbs i had a look again and it had slightly drooped, Once getting home i looked once more to find out the coolant level had drooped once again to just over the min level.

I went for a short drive about 10 mins or so on country roads and once getting home i looked at the coolant level, It has now drooped right down to the bottom of the bottle.

So where is my coolant going as dealer says there is no leak but my coolant bottle is now basically empty, I will be going back to dealers once again on Monday for them to sort out this problem they have coursed.

Does any one have any idea of where my coolant is going ?

[NeuroBeaker]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jordan210 (original)

I will be going back to dealers once again on Monday for them to sort out this problem they have caused.

Does any one have any idea of where my coolant is going ?

Hmmm... I'd definitely write a letter on this one. I've found this works particularly well with dealers - hand over a letter explaining the problem in meticulous detail and your expectations of them towards resolving it. Be polite but firm. I can e-mail you a copy of a letter I wrote (different issue though) for my dealer if you'd like? Also willing to proof-read a letter for your tomorrow if you'd like.

The following is a bit of a wild guess, but... maybe the dealer is checking for leaks when the pipes and such are cold, and when it warms up something rubber expands and allows a leak? Thus, they're not finding it, and your coolant drops out the bottom when driving about? Would it be safe for them to check for leaks whilst the engine is warm?

All the best,
Andrew.

[Jordan210]

Quote: Originally Posted by ARCrawford (original)

The following is a bit of a wild guess, but... maybe the dealer is checking for leaks when the pipes and such are cold, and when it warms up something rubber expands and allows a leak? Thus, they're not finding it, and your coolant drops out the bottom when driving about? Would it be safe for them to check for leaks whilst the engine is warm?

All the best,
Andrew.

Well the first time they had my car it was quite hot, So would have seen it dripping, This has really confused me , Also they charged us for coolant when the had my car for the bumper change !!

I think a letter will be send also maybe a phone call to BMW at this rate, I know I'm not 21 so would not normally be given a car, But as my dealers have started this problem i will be asking for one if they need the car for longer then 2 hours !

[NeuroBeaker]

Quote: Originally Posted by Jordan210 (original)

Well the first time they had my car it was quite hot, So would have seen it dripping, This has really confused me , Also they charged us for coolant when the had my car for the bumper change !!

I think a letter will be send also maybe a phone call to BMW at this rate, I know I'm not 21 so would not normally be given a car, But as my dealers have started this problem i will be asking for one if they need the car for longer then 2 hours !

Did your authorise putting coolant in it before they presented you with the bill for it? I wouldn't pay for anything I hadn't authorised.

I'll PM you my e-mail address, feel free to wing a draft letter to me if you want some proof reading, etc... I've written a few such letters to both BMW and Mercedes now.

Just after I was 21, I had a loaner car from BMW a couple of times and had to pay a "young person's premium" for the insurance company on the car as it was higher specification (and performance) than my ONE. But other than that, it wasn't a problem.

All the best,
Andrew.

[Jordan210]

Right the car is going to go in Monday and if they sort it, I will be happy still have to send a letter as the amount of petrol and time i have spend trying to get this fixed,

If they do not sort it letter and a phone call to BMW once again !

Just had a look at the Estimate they did put drain and refill of coolant ! but the coolent i paid for has been lost

[oldmots]

Not only do the three bleed valves need to be opened, but the ignition needs to be energized and the heater needs to be turned on high during the refill. In addition, the engine should be run with the pressure cap off until the thermostat opens, then the system needs to be topped up, then cooled down and checked again. Hopefully, the system is just not full, on the bad side, an airlock can be deadly to the headgasket. A sloppy refill on this car can have a finality to it. Be careful here.

[Jordan210]

RIght iv had a look at the car today and there is now nothing in the coolant tank

Is it worth driving it to the dealers or should i call BMW brake down or the dealers so i do not course any damage ?

[NeuroBeaker]

I wouldn't drive it without any coolant. Either put more coolant in for the journey - and from what oldmots was saying, that sounds trickier than just pouring it in - or get it towed there.

Not sure who would be the best to call. If it were me, I'd get the dealer involved here - they're the ones who have left your car with this problem so it should be up to them to come and recover the vehicle to sort it out.

All the best,
Andrew.

[Jordan210]

Quote: Originally Posted by ARCrawford (original)

I wouldn't drive it without any coolant. Either put more coolant in for the journey - and from what oldmots was saying, that sounds trickier than just pouring it in - or get it towed there.

Not sure who would be the best to call. If it were me, I'd get the dealer involved here - they're the ones who have left your car with this problem so it should be up to them to come and recover the vehicle to sort it out.

All the best,
Andrew.

Thanks Andrew

Dad said he is going to Phone the dealers in the morning for them to come pick up the car, Or im going to phone BMW get them to put coolant in then i can get to the dealers.

If my dealers say its fine to drive on, I will not be driving and there will be a nice phone call to BMW again !

What a great start to the year !, Now it means i will be waisting another day waiting about for my car ,

[NeuroBeaker]

Sounds frustrating, I hope it gets sorted soon. Good luck Jordan!